25.09.2026
Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Georgia are intensifying joint efforts to improve the efficiency of the Middle Corridor. Yerlan Koishibayev, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy National Company JSC, made the statement during a panel session at the 2nd Azerbaijan International Investment Forum in Baku. According to Vesti.az, the parties have adopted a joint roadmap covering the development of the Middle Corridor’s infrastructure, digitalization, improvement of tariff policies and coordination of operations at ports.
According to Koishibayev, railway companies from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and China are strengthening digital integration and synchronizing operations. In this regard, the establishment of a single operator for cargo transportation and a “single window” system is being considered.
Koishibayev noted that container deliveries from China to Europe via the Middle Corridor currently take 13–17 days, while transportation by sea takes 30–45 days. The parties aim to reduce the transit time to 10–12 days. In addition, Kazakhstan is expanding its maritime container fleet to facilitate transit transportation between the Port of Aktau and Azerbaijan’s Port of Alat.
By 2028, Kazakhstan plans to increase its specialized maritime container fleet for two-way transportation along the China–Caspian Sea–Europe route to 20 vessels. Four of these vessels are currently under construction at the Baku Shipyard. Koishibayev noted that the development of the Middle Corridor will create new investment opportunities in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, while the expansion of infrastructure capacity will contribute to increasing cargo flows along the route.
